Pedro Caixinha, the Rangers manager, believes he has signed a future Portugal international in Fabio Cardoso.
Caixinha is set to field the 23-year-old former youth cap alongside Bruno Alves, the experienced international, in central defence, having signed Cardoso on a three-year contract. Cardoso joins the club from Vitoria Setubal where he made 23 appearances following his move from Benfica B last summer.
Caixinha said: “He is a player who everyone describes as having big potential to be one of the centre halves of the future with the Portuguese national team.
“Fabio is 23, so having an experienced player around, like Bruno Alves, is good; he is a player whose one main characteristic is leadership so Fabio will feel comfortable and learn from him.”
Cardoso said he believes he can help Rangers to topple Celtic following the Parkhead club’s sixth consecutive title. “For me, this is the best club in Scotland and I will do my best to help us make history together,” the defender said. “This is a big step in my career and it has always been a dream for me to play here in the UK.
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“I met Caixinha for the first time in the airport. I like him and what he had to say. I know the football is very physical and the players are strong.”
Cardoso is the third Portuguese player to have signed following Alves, who joined from Cagliari, and Dalcio, on loan from Benfica B.
On Alves, Cardoso said: “He is an amazing player and one of the best defenders from my country. I know with him I will learn a lot.”
Rangers are hoping to secure work permits for the Mexican pair Carlos Peña and Eduardo Herrera, with reports in their homeland claiming the club have spent close to £4 million in total on the deals.